Seoul food: 9 essential dining spots

From film to music to fashion, Korean pop culture has taken the planet by storm. The global hallyu phenomenon has also shone a spotlight on the vibrant Korean cuisine, now one of the trendiest among foodies worldwide. Naturally, the South Korean capital of Seoul is a must-visit destination for fans who want to soak up the latest K-pop culture and culinary trends. Explore the city’s lively food scene, from barbecue joints specialising in all kinds of meat and home-style dishes to fine dining with an Asian twist.

Korean barbecue

One simply cannot talk about Korean cuisine without mentioning barbecue. Unlike many Korean restaurants abroad, grills in Korea are more hyper-focused, often specialising in just one type of meat or a specific cut.

At Jowu in Gangnam, it’s all about perfectly grilled premium aged Hanwoo (“Korean beef”), which has less marbling than the Japanese Wagyu but packs a stronger flavour. Also not to be missed are outstanding dishes like uni and beef sushi, and a beef and scallion rice pot. Beef connoisseurs queue up for hours for Mongtan’s udae galbi – large bone-in beef ribs that are marinated and smoked over a charcoal and straw fire then grilled on a hot plate.

If pork is more your jam, head to Jamsugyo Jip (14, Eonju-ro 152-gil, Gangnam-gu) for its signature naengsam (a type of frozen pork belly). The concept is simple – pork belly slices are grilled alongside kimchi, and the meal is rounded out with fried rice cooked using the residual pork fat. For a barbecue experience that won’t break the bank, Doma is the place to be. Besides grilled meat, try the doenjang jjigae, a soybean paste and pork stew. 

Mukjeon

Korean comfort food doesn’t always involve grilling over an open flame. Mukjeon (22, Eonju-ro 168-gil, Gangnam-gu) serves two Korean home-style favourites: starchy dishes (muk), and savoury pancakes or fritters (jeon) – hence the name. Everything on the menu is for sharing, including the mixed jeon platter with vegetable, tofu, meat and fish fritters, as well as mains like steamed dumplings, egg-battered beef pancake, and mixed seafood and green onion pancake. On a plant-based diet? Vegetarian options like cabbage pancakes and cold buckwheat noodles are also available. Wash it all down with the house-made makgeolli (sweet, milky Korean rice wine) – the ideal pairing for these comforting dishes.

Apgujeong Yeongyang Center

Had too much soju the night before? Samgyetang, a famous Korean hangover cure, might be the perfect recovery meal. This heart-warming soup dish is made with a small whole chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, garlic and jujube, and is as popular in the winter as it is in the summer, when it’s consumed to replenish the nutrients lost through sweating. Apgujeong Yeongyang Center (344, Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu) serves it with two options: the original chicken consommé-like broth and a richer, thicker sesame broth.

OPNNG

Just a short walk from the artsy, boutique-lined alleys of Dosan Park, OPNNG (short for “opening”) is a restaurant and gallery featuring a curated rotation of art pieces displayed throughout the venue. Here, you’ll find a vast selection of wines, which are perfectly paired with refined European dishes made with quality Asian ingredients, including the Hanwoo 1+ tartare taco, akami tuna sandwich and seasonal pastas. 

Vinho

A new addition to the Michelin Guide Seoul, Vinho is the quintessence of the great wine bars in Seoul. Here, chef Sungbin Jeon and sommelier Jinho Kim serve beautifully presented fine dining fare in a prix fixe menu with wine pairing. Meticulously prepared in the open kitchen by Jeon and his team, the dishes change seasonally and typically consist of a multi-course journey of land and sea.  

Crispy Pork Town

Taco restaurants are very popular in Seoul, and this joint in the multicultural Itaewon is one of the best. Here, chef-owner Shine Yoo, who grew up in Latin America, can be seen in the kitchen cooking up delicious Mexican fare every day. Try his signature tacos made with handmade tortilla, beef birria quesadilla, and chicharrón (deep-fried pork belly), which are great pairings to a frozen margarita.